Re: Noble Processes, or procedes nobles, or Edele procedes

wmlaven@well.com ( (wmlaven@well.com))
Sat, 18 January 1997 12:26 PM

>There exists some confusion in the literature of Pictorialism and the
>alternative processes as to the meaning of the term Noble Processes. Some
>sources indicate that these processes are called noble because they
>"ennoble" one with the ability to make greater works of art, while other
>sources relate this to the Noble scale (Cathodic value) of the metal. If
>the first understanding is accepted all of the alternative processes (gum,
>carbon, cyanotype) are "noble" but if the latter prevails only platinum
>and palladium (and perhaps gold are admitted.
>
>Although I do not have definitive documentation on this subject my opinion
>is that the origianl use of the term noble was applied only to platinum and
>palladium.
>
>
>Sandy King

The story I've heard (and retell often off-list) is that it comes from the
days of alchemy when the most potent acid was Aqua Regia, the King's Water,
a rather tough little mix of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid which was so
named because it was the most powerful acid, capable of zapping most
everything it came in contact with. Other acids were used, but they were
far less potent. Pt and Pd gained the appelation "noble" because no other
acid could effect them save for The King's Water, ie they were like the
nobles who were answerable to the king and noone else. I like the story,
and, true or not, will continue to tell it, quite happily accepting and
explaining that it may be borne of myth, but its a damned good myth. Does
anyone know whether it sprouted from the world of fact?

Bill

ps I find the first definition mentioned pretty smug and also pretty silly.
The medium doesn't enoble an artist, rather the artist enobles the
materials jseigel@panix.com (if we may mince words). Give Picasso some dog shit and he'll
produce great work; hell, give John Cage silence and look what masterpiece
he created out of 4 minutes plus something or other of it.

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